Ive had the aqueon quietflow 30 the marineland Penguin 150 and the marineland "H.O.T MAGNUM".

the aqueon overflowed, the penguin was extremely loud, the magnum was extremely complicated and loud but then I just decided to go all out and yeah the Eheim is just the greatest thing its quiet and the flow is just perfect and its just the rolls royce of the filters.

The only question I have is how often are the little things inside replaced? I dont have to put in the carbon filter pad do I? it says to leave it for 2 weeks but I have plants :l

its really the nicest filter Ive seen expensive but definitely worth it.

thank you guys for your help:)

LasColinasCichlids

03-22-2011 10:46 PM

No clue to the answers to your questions regarding this filter.

However, I so know your pain on finding a quality filter! I started with the typical HOB Top Fin 30 that came with the set up...replaced it 3 weeks later with the Marineland Penguin 150 Biowheel...after about 2 months it let me down and wasnt picking anything up right leaving my tank cloudy. So yesterday I added the AquaClear 50 to run with the Biowheel...I am now in heaven!!!

As far as the carbon insert, I would assume that is optional to the filter. (My tank is lightly planted, but I use active carbon inserts on both of my filters and it hasnt bothered my plants...could just be the type of plants I have, no clue as I am new to planted.)

Good Luck with your new filter!!!

leogtr

03-22-2011 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LasColinasCichlids
(Post 626495)

No clue to the answers to your questions regarding this filter.

However, I so know your pain on finding a quality filter! I started with the typical HOB Top Fin 30 that came with the set up...replaced it 3 weeks later with the Marineland Penguin 150 Biowheel...after about 2 months it let me down and wasnt picking anything up right leaving my tank cloudy. So yesterday I added the AquaClear 50 to run with the Biowheel...I am now in heaven!!!

As far as the carbon insert, I would assume that is optional to the filter. (My tank is lightly planted, but I use active carbon inserts on both of my filters and it hasnt bothered my plants...could just be the type of plants I have, no clue as I am new to planted.)

Good Luck with your new filter!!!

yeah the penguin was doing it for me until I did maintenance and it made a horrible sound and yeah then I got that magnum thing because at the front it said "silent" in bold..definitely not silent and it was super complicated a total pain in the butt to operate.

now with this ehiem filter its just...wow...if the aquaclear lets you down later on go for the ehiem its sooo worth it:)

LasColinasCichlids

03-23-2011 02:03 AM

Is it a canister or HOB?

underh2o

03-23-2011 07:47 AM

What model ehiem?? I have a few 2215s and 2213s they are the basic canisters and you can look forward to having them for a long time, (my 2215s are going on 17 years) I clean them depending on the bio load but two months is no problem with my set ups. In answer to you media question you have the ceramic noodles at the bottom (Ehfimech) that will last indefinitely. Then a filter pad, after the pad you have coarse high porous Ehfisubstrat! They recommend to change a portion of this material with each cleaning but most hobbyists I no do not do this just rinse it !! (Expensive) Top it off with the fine filter pad and you are good to go. I don't use carbon.Good Luck you made a good investment. Oh one more thing just change the pads as needed. They last quite a while with proper rinsing. Jack

SeaHorse

03-23-2011 08:44 AM

I have a 2215 also! Probably 13-15 years old...got it cheaper cause the new models were coming out... I clean/rinse mine even less than underh20... it is Silent! I forget it is even running. I stack the interior EXACTLY the same way as H20.
I had trouble one time a couple of years ago with its output... went to the LFS to REPLACE IT.... the owner/repairman/expert, (gotta love this honest man!) told me NO he would not sell me a new filter.... go home and take it apart and make sure that everything was set properly and if not then bring it back in for him to look at.
Got home, opened it and the magnetic spinner was not locked in place. Put it back together and voila!!
Yes I will shop at that store forever. A shout out to Newmarket, Ontario's.... BIG AL'S.
Love my Eheim 2215.

leogtr

03-23-2011 02:16 PM

thank you so much for your imput guys! loved to hear that its a lasting product!

I think this is a 2213 thats the small number it says on the box.

the manual comes in like 20 different languages!

DKRST

03-26-2011 08:42 PM

I have a 2215 and thought the best thing of all was the availability of parts! One item I think is a weakness is the inflow elbow. I just took a really large zip-tie and connected the inflow hose (not too tight) to the canister to lessen the torque on the elbow. Love the filter! Cleaned once in 3 months, could have gone longer.